Pet food, as we know it today, is actually a fairly young concept. Did you know that the first dog biscuit dates to the 1860s and the idea of commercial pet food didn’t really become popular until after World War II? When better packaging, roadways and distribution networks, as well as preservatives became available, it was practical to sell large quantities of kibble nationwide (Source).
In recent years, news about chemicals and artificial preservatives in pet foods has surfaced, causing dog owners to be wary of buying commercial pet food. As a response, many pet health food companies have emerged, making wholesome foods full of quality meat, veggies and grains as an alternative. Other pet owners have advocated that making your own pet food is the best solution, but there’s been mixed reviews on whether or not making our own pet food is a good idea.
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Making your own dog food can help you control the quality of the food you are feeding your pet, but there are some things to think about before diving into this culinary adventure.
Alternatives
Do your research and check out other wholesome products, such as:
Bake to Nature, oven baked dry dog food, full of vitamins and antioxidants and free of wheat, soy and corn.
Primal Pet Foods, raw foods and treats for dogs and cats
FROMM Four-Star Foods, dry and wet pet food for dogs and cats with the highest inclusion levels of meat, fish, fresh fruit, and fresh vegetables.
There are many other healthy options as well, which you can find at Three Dog Bakery in Franklin.
Balance
If you do want to take a crack at making your own pet food, it’s very important to make sure the diet your create is nutritionally balanced. In most cases a single meal will not be completely nutritionally balanced. This is not unusual for a person’s meals either. You probably don’t get all of your vitamins and minerals in each meal you eat.
“Because some nutrients are lost through cooking procedures, it is very important to get a recommendation from your vet about what combination of foods would work well for your dog’s nutritional needs and to discuss what additional supplements the dog might need through medication or other natural sources,” said Leslie Kessinger, co-owner of Three Dog Bakery in Franklin.
Meat & Produce
Pick quality meat and produce, and wash produce thoroughly before preparing it for your pup.
“I would also recommend caution when selecting the products that you cook with. Dogs have shorter digestive tracts than people, and can be dramatically affected by pathogens, steroids, synthetic supplements, antibiotics, etc than can be found in raw meats and produce at the grocery store,” Kessinger added.
Visit Three Dog Bakery, located on West McEwen Drive, adjacent to Whole Foods in the McEwen Shopping Center in Franklin for all your holistic dog food and dog treat needs.
To learn more about Three Dog Bakery, click here.
Click here to follow Three Dog Bakery on Facebook.
If you have health concerns about your dog, consult your veterinarian. This article is not meant to substitute or act as medical advice for pets.
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